What God Says About Investing in Israel

The idea of investing in Israel, and what benefits you can expect from this investment, is a new idea to most people. It’s something they have never thought about. For others who have, it might be an intimidating concept, because they don’t know how they would go about it. Before you decide what you would like to do, and how you would go about it, let’s consider what the Bible has to say about investing in Israel. The Scriptures show why investing and supporting Israel is in line with God’s desires, they explain why it is in our best interest, and that it will bring blessing upon us. Here are eight biblical principles connected to Israel and investing in it:

Principle #1: God blesses Israel

From the time of its earliest history, Israel has been blessed by God. “The Lord spoke to Moses: ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, “This is the way you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and protect you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’”’ So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:22-27).

God promised this blessing from the foundation of the people of Israel, through the forefathers. He said to Isaac, Jacob’s father: “I’ll bless you and make your children flourish because of Abraham my servant” (Genesis 26:24).

At one time an enemy of Israel, the King of Moab, decided to hire a seer to curse Israel. But, the seer Balaam couldn’t curse Israel, saying, “How can I curse one whom God has not cursed, or how can I denounce one who the LORD has not denounced? … Indeed, I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot reverse it” (Numbers 23:8, 20). “Now Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel” (Numbers 24:1).

Throughout the Scriptures God indicates he will prosper the people of Israel: “The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel” (Psalm 115:12).

We can imitate God who blesses Israel, by blessing Israel ourselves. There are many ways to do that. One good way you can choose to bless Israel is to invest in its companies and endeavors. If you are already saving and investing your money, you can take a stand and reallocate some of your investment portfolio to Israel. By doing this, you are casting your vote to bless Israel because you are backing the Israeli economy, strengthening its companies and aiding the financial achievements of its people. This is a very powerful step that makes a difference.

It’s not all about Israel, however. The Bible has much to stay about those who choose to bless Israel:

Principle #2: God blesses those who love and bless Israel

The Bible is clear when it comes to God’s promises for those who bless his people. God blesses those who bless Israel. These promises are repeated throughout Scripture:

“How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel!... Blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you!” (Numbers 24:5, 9). Blessing is promised to those who bless Abraham and his descendants: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). The lover of Jerusalem prospers: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love her prosper!” (Psalms 122:6)

We see that God is in the business of blessing us, when we are obedient to him and follow his divine principles.

Principle #3: The nations will be blessed through Israel

As the Jewish people are beginning to return to the Lord, the nations will be blessed through Israel. The Bible says that. “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him” (Genesis 18:18). God continues to make promises to Abraham about the people of Israel saying: “And through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me” (Genesis 22:18). “If you will swear by my name alone, and begin to live good, honest lives and uphold justice, then you will be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people will come and praise my name” (Jeremiah 4:2).

We are living in exciting times, because in our lifetime a major historical event, tied to biblical prophecy, has occurred – the rebirth of the nation of Israel in its land. This event is important because there are promises related to the blessing of Israel when they are in possession of the land:

Principle #4: Israel’s blessing is tied to being in their land

In this past century, God has begun to miraculously return his people to the Land of Israel as spoken of in Ezekiel 37:1-14 in the vision of the dry bones. Jeremiah too, describes God’s promise to restore the people of Israel back to their land. “The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, ‘I will restore the people of Judah to their land and to their towns’” (Jeremiah 31:23).

As God continues this historic work to regather the Jewish people, he will restore the wealth promised to Jacob: “I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel and will rebuild them as they were at first… all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for them, and they will fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace that I make for it” (Jeremiah 33:7,9). Zechariah also speaks of this historical turn of events and its favorable results for Israel: ”Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem’” (Zechariah 1:17).

God’s blessing on his people is connected to their being in the land God promised them: “The LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess” (Deuteronomy 30:16). “Stay in this land. Then I will be with you and will bless you, for I will give all these lands to you and to your descendants, and I will fulfill the solemn promise I made to your father Abraham” (Genesis 26:3).

Israel will be prosperous when the people are back in their land. The question is: are we participating in the blessing? God is, in fact, again blessing Israel as it returns to its land. By investing in Israel, you can take part in this End of Days ingathering, and God’s promised blessings to those who love Israel.

Principle #5: God stands with Israel

It is wise to invest internationally in countries that are secure. It is evident throughout the Scriptures that God defends Israel. This can be seen even in modern times when Israel has been attacked by its neighbors. Israel is precious to God – “for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8). “Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4). “Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause” (Jeremiah 50:34).

The security of Israel is defended by God. Therefore we can feel secure in Israel and in investing in it.

Principle #6: God judges the nations concerning Israel

Because God stands with Israel and is concerned with its security and blessing, his judgment is coming on the nations, on those who do not stand with Israel. “I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land… Let the nations be roused and let them go up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit in judgment on all the surrounding nations” (Joel 3:2, 12). “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head” (Obadiah 1:15). “For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of storm clouds, it will be a time of judgment for the nations” (Ezekiel 30:3).

God will soon punish the nations, especially those who come against Israel. It is becoming more apparent in these days that the nations of the world are coming against Israel. Even the United States, a long-time friend and ally, is making significant, unfavorable changes to its policies and actions against Israel. God’s judgment will surely have significant financial implications for these nations.

Biblical wisdom suggests that you can assure your own fate is different to the fate of your nation when it comes to God’s judgment regarding Israel. For example, Rehab, who hid the Israelite spies in Jericho, sided with Israel through practical actions, and was saved from her city’s destruction (Joshua 2, 6:17, 23-25).

By making personal financial choices that side with Israel, you may save yourself and your family from your nation’s financial fate.

Principle #7: Israel’s financial security and role in global finances

Israel is destined to be an important world financial center; a lender nation. In these global rocky financial times, where governments are borrowing money internationally, and risking the standing of their country with regards to their world economic status, God says about Israel: “For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none…” (Deuteronomy 15:6).

For decades, sound investment advice was to invest in financial institutions, as they control the flow of money and lend. It is even wiser to invest in lender nations. “The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none” (Deuteronomy 28:12).

When the world economic system fails, many great countries will seek the blessing of God in Israel. “Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord who rules over all and to ask his favor” (Zechariah 8:22).

Principle #8: International exposure and diversification

Not only is it sound investing to diversify your holdings internationally, but it’s also scriptural.

“Send your grain overseas, for after many days you will get a return” (Ecclesiastes 11:1, Net Bible). Some scholars suggest that the imagery of the grain dealt with commercial business through international trade. This same verse advises investment diversification: “Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments, for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth” (verse 1). The chapter goes on to state:

“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). Solomon shares his God-given wisdom with us regarding how we should invest. He tells us it is unwise to invest heavily only in one market, one country, one currency or one investment. Investing in a country with God’s blessing is a wise way to get international exposure, portfolio and currency diversification.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to invest in Israel. The Bible teaches us that Israel will be blessed, and that helping Israel brings blessing on oneself and one’s own nation. Israel is back in its land. This is a sign that its prosperity will be restored and it will once again be financially wealthy: a lender to many nations. You can make an impact on your own financial life and take advantage of biblical principles regarding what God promises for those who bless Israel.

Here are some related articles on how you can invest in Israeli stocks and bonds:

• Open my Israel Investment Account: where?
• Should I Consider Investing in Israel?
• Israeli Stocks on Wall Street